So I was checking out my usual news sites and saw that pricing for the new BMW 1 series has been announced at it starts at $35k. I know this is way off topic but there are a handful of cars out there that I see as alternatives to the A3 and the Beemer is one of them. But at $35k for the stripped down version ($52,000 when you max it out with options) I don't see how anyone looking for a premium compact would go for this when the A3 2.0 and 3.2 are out there. Just my two cents.

competition with a3? not likely. maybe the s3 [if we ever get it]. the 135i is supposed to chime in at around 35k. as well as the STi. to me, its two cars that have more power off the lot then we do with ample mods. it'd be nice to see audi go back to the drawing board since their now 'competitors' are overtaking them in the power area.

This is in reply to the orginal post.

Are you saying they are competitors because of their price? They are all completely different vehicles as far as classification goes. The 135i has the twin turbo inline six (300hp/300 ft-lbs) and is rear wheel drive. The STI or the Evo could be close if you are compariing them to an A3 Quattro, but it is still way behind on power. The closest competion in the A3 2.0T's class IMHO is the Mazdaspeed 3 which is also front wheel drive with much more power and a LSD. Not to mention you can get one fully loaded with navigation for around $25k. I think the WRX wagon is the most fair comparison for the 3.2L by vehicle type and power, but costs about $10k less. Truth be told the A3 doesn't have a true competitor. I don't think I've ever seen it in a comparo.

In the states, the 1-series is a 2-door coupe. The A3, in the states, is a 4-door hatchback. That alone tells me they're not competitors.

If BMW were to bring the 4-door 1-series hatchback to the US, no doubt they would compete against each other, IMO.

ORIGINAL: uwhusky

In the states, the 1-series is a 2-door coupe. The A3, in the states, is a 4-door hatchback. That alone tells me they're not competitors.

If BMW were to bring the 4-door 1-series hatchback to the US, no doubt they would compete against each other, IMO.



well played, sir

So anyone here considering switching to the beemer?

ORIGINAL: IzzyA3

So anyone here considering switching to the beemer?


I think it will be an awesome little car for the price, but I haven't considered it for myself. I will pressure friends ot get it so I can drive it.;)

I think it will be an awesome little car for the price, but I haven't considered it for myself. I will pressure friends ot get it so I can drive it.;)



Awesome for the price?

For 2.5k more you can get a 3 series! And it's only 130lbs heavier!
3 series is bigger/roomier with more storage capacity.

IMHO, they priced the 1 series 5k too high.
People might think I'm nuts for paying mid 30's for a loaded 2.0 A3.
Imagine paying 40 something grand for a little 1 series! Yeesh.

And to the O.P.... no, they are not competition, not even close.

Not competition to the A3 at all, and I agree with others who posted above. BMW just killed the 135 with that announced price. The dollar is falling like a rock too. If I were BMW, I stop screwing around with the 1 series and offer a diesel at $30K.

BTW: Beemer = BMW motorcycle.....Bimmer = BMW car

Yes, here in Taiwan, they are competitors.

Before I bought my A3 2.0TDI I drove the BMW 120i and 120d (d is a diesel version). Both are '5 door' hatches. The price difference between the A3 diesel and the BMW diesel is about $14000, but if you compare the diesel audi to the gasoline BMW the price difference is around $3500.

In my opinion very different cars. The rear-wheel drive on the beemer is nice, but comes at a huge price in terms of rear seating and the hatch space. (I have two kids) So....the price difference on the diesel made the beemer diesel not worth it to me, but the gas was a good alternative, great performance, competitive price. But the space issues and the high operating costs of a gasoline engine versus the diesel, the A3 made more sense. Styling was also an issue and a personal choice for me...I love the A3s lines compared to the 120...it has a curvy swoop....only looks great in the 130 version which is A LOT more than an A3.

But yes, they compete!

I'm gonna echo the opinion that BMW priced the 1-series too high. Too far off from other hatches -- the A3 is pushing it already -- and they are just going to compete against the 3-series with this.

RWD > FWD, but Quattro > RWD. At that price you can get a very nice A3 3.2Q and probably have some change to boot! And I think the rear end of the 1 is fugly. [:'(] The A3 is a much more aesthetically pleasing car.

The Bimmer would definitely be one hot tuner car, and I was considering it for purchase, but not in the mid-$40k's. I agree that figure is way out of range, but the sad thing is that they'll probably sell like crazy. At that price, I'd purchase the 335i.



Cheers!

If that 1 series came as a hatch with 300hp and torque to match i would purchase that in a heart beat.
Our cars only come with 200 something hp we have to get it chipped, add intake, add exhaust, add fuel pump, just to get it close to the 1 series stock, so if one wants to compare performance alone, this would not even be a close fight. More practicle of a car i choose ours over the bmw, because of the hatch, and being able to put the back seats all the way down.

I'll probably keep mine for one more year and get a jeep gc srt 8 or a slightly used porsche cayenne turbo s both are beasts, porsche edging the srt8 out in the handleing dept. , and the jeep beating the cayenne out in price.

Just a reminder boys if you want that dream high performance car or truck, you better get it now because those d!ck heads up in opec aren't going to increase oil production nor are they going to drop pricing of those barrels so its just gonna get worse.Just my opinion.

That may be true but the estimated 8 billion barrels they found off the coast of brazil should help in a couple of years(at least i hope so).Here are my thoughts on why it might help 1) b/c that is a rediculous amount 2) b/c brazil is an ethanol country so they wont use as much of their own oil 3) shipping oil from brazil to us is going to be a lot cheaper than from the middle east

The downside is that it will take a while for drilling/shipping operations to get started and who knows it might not change anything

PS sorry to change the theme of thisthread I agree with gerneral consensus and say that the BMW 1 is not really a competitor of the A3

Quoting Stryker
"If that 1 series came as a hatch with 300hp and torque to match i would purchase that in a heart beat.
Our cars only come with 200 something hp we have to get it chipped, add intake, add exhaust, add fuel pump, just to get it close to the 1 series stock, so if one wants to compare performance alone, this would not even be a close fight. More practicle of a car i choose ours over the bmw, because of the hatch, and being able to put the back seats all the way down".

Stryker, here in Taiwan I think BMW sells what you are looking for....the 130i. 3litre 300hp BEAST! I test drove it...it's simply crazy...just touch the pedal and you are blazing....breathtaking...amazing....wowowowowo! BUT...Taiwan...500km long island...and wall to wall traffic...it's like putting a greyhound in a cage...but what a ride for the open roads back home! The 130 is CRAZY sweet!! Oh, and at least in here in Taiwan (Where the A3 costs $45 000US !! Yes...I kid you not...TAXES on imports here, ouch!) But...the 130 is 60% more than the A3! NOT worth it, but spectacular!!

TPE A3

I am in complete agreement with the above... and don't see how they compare.

Comparing it to the TT on the other hand as they are both small sporty coupe's I could see!

Bmw 128i MSRP: $29,375.00 Horsepower: 230
A3 2.0T MSRP: $28,185.00 Horsepower: 200

Bmw 135i MSRP: $35,675.00 Horsepower: 300
A3 3.2TMSRP: $35,690.00 Horsepower: 250


Id Definatly say that it competes with the A3. I mean, the prices are pretty much even and you get more horses with the BMW (correct me if i am wrong not balancing weight statistics and stuff).

If I were to choose between getting an A3 or a 1 Series right now id be in a very tough position deciding but I have not driven a 1 series yet so I am not 100% sure what I would do.


The Car isnt out yet so the prices arent right on, but according to KBB this is what is estimated.

In the US they are 2 different market segments. The A3 is stictly a 5-door sports wagon and the 135i is only a sports coupe. I've priced and tested both. The A3 (3.2) is a fabulous car - the perfect mix of practicality, luxury, value and performance. Unfortunately, it doesn't get your blood flowing the way the 300hp 135i does. It's nowhere near as practical, is a bit pricier, but the fun factor is on another level altogether. Like one review said, the 135i is "more fun than a caffinated circus monkey". Instead of the A3, I've found a better comparison between the A5 and the 135i. In this case the A5 is a bit pricier and slower, but still more practical (quattro) and better looking.
If you need a small wagon though, lookno further than the A3 3.2.

Wow...old topics have come back...and I've been car shopping again!

As for some of the comments above.

The hatch versions of the car are comparable. (A3 vs 120i/d) The hatch version of the 130i is NOT comparable. Blows away anything on an A3 in terms of performance. (And priced accordingly!)

I don't agree that the 1-series is a competitor to the TT. The styling on the 1-series is pretty sedate (well, ugly in my opinion, but that is subjective!) The TT is a roadster, the 1-series is predominantly a hatch (and the sedan...ouch...I can't get used to it!)

As for the 1-series being competitive with the A5...no way no how! Just a really really different category of car and prospective market. In my view, the A5 is more comparable to the BMW 335ix (AWD) or even the 338 to the S5. (Both full-size coupes)

Right now I'm in the early stages of shopping for a new car...still love my A3...but I have a wandering heart...and it keeps wandering to the A5. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that car. Right now, Taiwan only has 6 ,and none in the colours I want or I would have bought one. Audi is also taking over the distribution of cars here, so I may have to wait till 2009 till I can get my hands on an A5. But after sitting in both the BMW and the A5, the A5 interior makes the BMW look like a Hyundai. I was REALLY surprised by how lacklustre the BMW seemed after the A5.

I drove a BMW just before I got my A3. I was very close to getting a 330i - the clincher was the Audi interior. In my opinion - the higher price of the BMW should at least get you an equivalent interior to the Audi. I know people have said that you are paying for performance when you get a BMW. But, when you are stuck on the beltway in stop 'n go traffic - is the extra money worth the performance?

ORIGINAL: TPE_A3

I don't agree that the 1-series is a competitor to the TT. The styling on the 1-series is pretty sedate (well, ugly in my opinion, but that is subjective!) The TT is a roadster, the 1-series is predominantly a hatch (and the sedan...ouch...I can't get used to it!)



The confusion comes from the differences in the BMW 1 series Euro vs US models...
I believe when the original post went up everyone was talking about the US market although no one actually said it.

I would completely agree that the Euro 1 Series directly with our A3...
however the US model is more of a competitor to the TT in my mind...

In the US, the 1 series is not a hatch and comes in either a 2-door coupe or a 2 door convertible (each have 2 engine options)...
Now the european 1 series is completely different and comes in a 4-door hatch
- - - - - - - - -
US 1 Series Coupe
http://allcarsreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/69545.jpg

US 1 Series Convertible
http://www.carpages.co.uk/bmw/bmw_images/bmw-1-series-convertible-02-10-07.jpg

European 1 Series
http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/il/features/general/european.triple.test/06.bmw.prf.500.jpg

I'm deciding between the 128, a3, or a4 right now.

I've been bmw so I'd like to stay BMW. BMW underrates there numbers a lot, I'm not sure if Audi does that too. The 335 is putting down about 325HP at the crank and the 128 is putting down 244HP at the crank.

I know with an ECU flash in the a3/a4 I could get it up to those numbers. Although, there is probably more potentional with an FI engine in the a3/a4 instead of an NA engine in the 128.

I'm hopefully going to test drive them this weekend and see what I like better. I just test drove my friends A3 with a REVO flash so he's puttign down probably 240hp, and it was nice, Although I need to experience both cars for myself.

The BPY motor ('06 - late '08) is about 192 hp/ 200 ft-lbs. at the wheels; very conservatively rated.Combine this with the efficient and direct DSG tranny, and you have a car that feels like 240 hp in a normal auto Eurocar.

When my buddy went to the dealership he went to look at the 1 series and the guy basicly told him the 1 series comes so empty at the low msrp they have that by the time you add in the necessary things your up to par with the 3 series price and its not the amount of money you were planning to spend on a 1.

I think BMW is competing against themselves with the 1 series. Why would they make a car that is similar to the M3 (Only a couple inches smaller) that is just as quick as the M3... and is a lot cheaper than the M3. Anyone else see something wrong with this picture? F!cking retarded IMO.

The 135 is as quick as the previous M3, but not to the 08 version. This is indeed great news for anyone wanting that type of performance for less than $40k. The biggest complaints about the 135 seems to be how close in price it can get to the low end of the 3 series. Is BMW trying to be clever by teasing buyers with the 1, but convincing them ("it's only a few thousand more") to buy a 3? Anyone willing to put $69k down for a new M3 isn't even going to consider a 135. They're not measuring performance against value. They just want one of ultimate machines from Mercedes, Audi, BMW (and maybe Lexus now that they got into the act with the Is350 F) regardless of price so they can drive 75 mph down the highway, but feel really cool.

Back to the A3, the 3.2 drives and probably performs pretty close to the 128. Again though, in the US it's 5-door versus 2-door so they aren't intended to meet the same needs. I'd be happy with either one if that's all I could spend.

The US version looks pretty funky! Kind of like a baby 3 series.

As for it being a teaser, that's a very expensive marketing strategy to get customers for what is already one of the best selling premium sedans in the US, so I doubt that. But you are right ptack, with the price so close it seems cannibalistic. I suspect though there is a market of people who would try desperately to STRETCH their budget to a 3, but can't make it, and the difference in price is their total MAX credit they can get, so they will get that car to own the badge. Kind of scary to me. But I think in the US market credit and leasing play a big role in the cars people choose, so it may be they are trying to go for that part of the market.

I wish we had that here in Taiwan, I would SO be driving an A5 right now if I could finance it, instead of having to pay cold hard cash for that beast! Lucky! :)